Places to Work in Portland

Each year, Oregon Business ranks the top 100 companies to work for in Oregon based on confidential employee surveys and benefits reports submitted by employers. Rankings cover work enivornments, decision-making abilities, performance management, and career development.

Here are the top employers in large, medium and small business:

1. Microsoft Corporation - No. 1 Large Company

Though headquartered in Seattle, the Portland branch of the software giant has moved up from its previous Oregon Business ranking of number 7 to be the number 1 large company. Forty-nine sales and customer service reps can use the newest technology and work from home whenever they wish. Autonomy and independence, along with benefits including strong healthcare and paid volunteer work, help employees feel respected and understand their individual impact.

2. Hitachi Consulting - No. 2 Large Company

Hitachi Consulting is a Portland-based IT and business consulting firm. Benefits like excellent pay, 30 days of paid vacation, and comprehensive dental and health care are just some of the perks of working for Hitachi. Employees here commend the other employees -- fun and smart -- and give high marks to the company's empowerment of employees, career development, and philanthropy.

3. Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront - No. 3 Large Company

Hospitality managers at this hotel understand that taking care of their employees is a direct investment in the health of their business. (Or, as the management told Oregon Business, "If we take great care of associates, they’ll take great care of our customers.") Benefits for the 209 employees here include travel and hotel discounts, as well as flexible schedules, health club access, and the chance to influence and even change procedure at the hotel.

4. Oregon Cascade Plumbing & Heating - No. 1 Medium Company

This first-place medium-sized company is an HVAC and plumbing contractor based in Salem, Ore., just oustide Portland. Oregon Cascade is family-run, and so they put families first. Generous benefits, an annual retreat, a fun environment and employee ownership (the company is 25% employee-owned) lead to employee satisfaction.

5. Hospice & Palliative Care - No. 2 Medium Company

The obvious emotional toll of caring for patients near the end of life can lead to burnout for doctors and nurses and other hospice care workers. This company recognizes that fact, and so employees who interact with patients on a daily basis only work three days, but receive full-time benefits. The laid-back environment, support, mission of the organization and life-work balance make a hard job a little easier for these caregivers.

6. Pittman & Brooks - No. 1 Small Company

This small Portland CPA firm works hard and plays hard. Fifty-hour weeks during tax season are balanced by 100% flextime during the other nine months of the year. And to make tax season a bit more bearable, the company offers massages, catered meals, on-site weekend childcare, and dry cleaning. A wellness program and evening fitness, yoga and cooking classes help employees stay healthy.

7. Northwest Newborn Specialists -- No. 2 Small Company

Caring for ill and premature babies is stressful, and Northwest Newborn Specialists understands this. The company provides support and respect to employees through flexibile scheduling, and promotion of personal and professional growth, including conference attendance and research.